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Tensions rise in Užice ahead of Serbian Progressive Party rally; police block citizens
🇷🇸 Serbia /Crime & Justice

Tensions rise in Užice ahead of Serbian Progressive Party rally; police block citizens

From N1 Serbia · () Serbian

Translated from Serbian and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Tensions flared in Užice as stewards for an upcoming Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) rally allegedly beat citizens, while police reportedly prevented others from reaching the area.
  • The opposition League of Social Democrats of Vojvodina condemned the alleged violence, comparing the SNS stewards to "paramilitaries" and calling for an EU and Council of Europe investigation.
  • Interior Minister Ivica Dačić stated that around 150 people were attempting to disrupt the legally registered SNS rally and that an RTS cameraman was injured.

A tense atmosphere has descended upon Užice as the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) prepares to hold a rally, with reports of violence against citizens and police actions to control access to the central square. Stewards allegedly involved in securing the event reportedly beat several individuals, while police are accused of preventing citizens and activists from reaching the planned gathering site.

The situation escalated as citizens and activists attempted to hold their own counter-demonstration. Reports indicate clashes occurred when individuals managed to break through police lines and encountered SNS stewards. This confrontation has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties.

While citizens were trying to stand on their own square, cordons and tear gas were pushing them back. At the same time, SNS criminals were beating people who did not want to leave the cafe gardens. The police, according to public testimony, stood and watched until the last moment. This is not maintaining order. This is assisting criminal gangs. This is protecting party force.

— League of Social Democrats of VojvodinaThe LSV condemned the alleged violence and police inaction during the events in Užice.

The League of Social Democrats of Vojvodina (LSV) issued a strong condemnation, labeling the SNS stewards as "Vučić's thugs" and accusing them of violence against citizens in front of the police. The LSV claimed police stood by and watched, effectively assisting "criminal gangs" and protecting "party force." The party drew parallels to historical paramilitary groups, urging the EU, Council of Europe, and OSCE to condemn the violence and demand an independent investigation into the police's role.

Interior Minister Ivica Dačić addressed the situation, stating that approximately 150 individuals were attempting to disrupt the legally registered SNS rally. He also reported that an RTS cameraman sustained injuries during the events. President Aleksandar Vučić had previously spoken about his decision to hold rallies in Užice and Novi Sad, suggesting he was responding to claims that he could not visit these cities safely.

Around 150 people are trying to prevent a legally registered rally, and a cameraman was injured.

— Ivica DačićSerbia's Interior Minister commented on the disruption attempts at the SNS rally in Užice.
About this summary

Originally published by N1 Serbia in Serbian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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